Anna Renderer

You don’t need a fancy gymnasium or organized sports to get children active. All it takes is a little imagination and enthusiasm. This obstacle course can be created at home and requires no special equipment – perfect for rambunctious kids on a rainy day.

Given the importance of physical activity to kids’ health and development, it makes sense that the ABCs of physical activity should be taught right alongside the ABCs of language. As a fitness professional, you have the opportunity to help shape the future activity levels and preferences of today’s youth. Here are some great ways to help kids learn the fundamental movement skills that will help lay the foundation for a lifetime of physical activity.

Games are a great way to combine interval training, motor skills and fun all at one time. Using cones, jump ropes, hula-hoops, balls and agility ladders provides a great dynamic warm-up for the body and allows kids to use a variety of muscles and movements. Learn how to create an obstacle course warm-up that incorporates every aspect of physical fitness and will prepare kids for any type of activity whether it’s a quick game of tail tag, kick ball or basketball.

Wondering what types of communication are most critical for safe and successful youth exercise and resistance-training programs? Here are 10 instructional guidelines that have been proven to be highly effective for providing every class participant a positive and productive exercise session. When you are teaching kids or leading a youth fitness training session, following these guidelines will give you the greatest chances for success.

Are you a parent interested in helping your child athlete get stronger, or a professional considering teaching a youth-focused strength-training class? Either way, you may be wondering where to start and whether or not resistance training is safe for children. This easy-to-use grid will help you account for the necessary variables, like age and fitness level, to ensure your participants train both safely and effectively.

When helping a young athlete develop his or her skills, it is essential to build a strong foundation of fundamental movement skills—running, jumping, catching, throwing and kicking. A great place to start is to teach athletes how to properly perform the athletic stance, which will help them avoid injury, both in the weight room and on the playing field.

The playground can be a cruel place for overweight kids, but there is a form of physical activity where they are more likely to feel successful and confident: strength training. Learn how you can help get overweight kids get moving with this basic six-week training program that can create a sense of accomplishment and instill a lifelong habit of being physically active.

Teaching youth fitness requires a much different approach than teaching adult fitness—more than anything, the activity has to be fun! ACE pro Anna Renderer explains age-appropriate teaching strategies and motivational approaches that are best used for children when trying to establish healthy habits they will retain for a lifetime. Whether you are teaching a young group of 2nd graders or a high school basketball team (or an age in between), these tips are sure to improve both the retention and

Wondering how to keep kids engaged & active while stuck inside? Set up this indoor obstacle course with guidance from ACE!